Global Strategy Unveiled for AAM Aircraft to Facilitate Global Certification Harmonization
Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft Type Certification Roadmap Published
A significant milestone was reached in the evolution of aviation technology on 16 June 2025, with the publication of the Roadmap for the type certification of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft. The roadmap, developed by representatives from various aviation authorities, aims to facilitate the global entry of AAM aircraft, focusing on urban air mobility.
The roadmap was developed by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Transport Canada (TC), the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZ CAA), the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The collaboration marks a significant step towards harmonizing airworthiness standards for AAM aircraft across the world.
The roadmap is designed to streamline validation and accelerate the entry of AAM aircraft into multiple markets. It will certify AAM aircraft in a unified, streamlined fashion, reducing the certification burden once aircraft have received a type certificate. This harmonization is intended to allow faster entry to multiple countries, making it easier for AAM aircraft manufacturers to expand their operations globally.
One of the key challenges the roadmap addresses is the issue of differing certification standards across the world for new AAM aircraft. By combining and harmonizing global certification standards, the roadmap aims to ensure safety, drive collaboration, promote technological innovation, and simplify the overall certification and validation process for new aircraft types.
The roadmap also allows for the sharing of data, research, and safety information among participating aviation authorities. This collaboration is expected to lead to a unified, streamlined certification process for AAM aircraft, potentially paving the way for the future of urban mobility.
It is important to note that the roadmap does not detail any changes to the harmonized airworthiness standards mentioned earlier. Nor does it specify any new or altered roles for the participating aviation authorities. Additionally, the roadmap does not specifically mention a change in the traditional certification process for non-AAM aircraft.
The publication of the roadmap marks an important step in the evolution of bilateral partnerships to meet the challenges of emerging aviation technology. It is part of an effort to enable new technology into the skies and support the growth of the UK aerospace industry. The roadmap's goal is to ensure that the introduction of AAM aircraft is both safe and efficient, paving the way for the future of urban mobility.
